Assault of the Flame Wolves
Three days had passed since Zeon entered the Magic Stone mine town.
During that time, he hadn't done much of anything.
He wandered the streets or sat in alleys watching people pass by.
To anyone watching, it looked like the idle routine of a total layabout.
It was the complete opposite of the bustling scene in the Magic Stone mine town.
At first, some people eyed Zeon suspiciously. But once word spread that Cha Dong-seok's men had been smashed by him, no one dared pick a fight.
Neo Seoul at least had some rules, but the Magic Stone mine was a place where none of that applied.
Here, the strong trampled the weak and took everything, and it was all accepted.
Zeon had been recognized as one of the strong.
No one knew his true power, but he was clearly stronger than Cha Dong-seok.
At minimum, a D-rank martial Awakener.
D-rank might not sound impressive, but even scouring all of Neo Seoul, there were fewer than a thousand such valuable assets.
Considering most Awakeners dispatched to the Magic Stone mine were E or F-rank, it showed just how precious they were.
Thanks to that, Zeon could relax in peace.
"Get some good rest?"
On the third day, Mandy came looking for him.
Having rested well and eaten properly, her face was full of vitality.
"Thanks to you... You look good yourself."
"Thanks to you too."
"Seeing you here means it's time to go, huh."
"Spot on. There's an armored bus to Neo Seoul in thirty minutes. That's our ride."
"Carrying Magic Stones?"
"Yep! They've gathered a full load to send to Neo Seoul."
Magic Stones were Neo Seoul's most vital resource.
Every facility in the city ran on energy extracted from them.
They had to be supplied regularly.
This mine town played the biggest role in that. Once the miners risked their lives to extract a certain amount, it got loaded onto armored buses and shipped to Neo Seoul.
Today happened to be the day for the latest shipment.
Zeon nodded.
"Perfect timing."
"If it didn't line up, we'd have waited at least a week. We're lucky."
Mandy couldn't hide her excitement.
Zeon thought even the Magic Stone mine felt like civilized lands, but not to her.
To someone used to life in Neo Seoul, this place was no better than some backwater village.
She wanted to get back as soon as possible and enjoy all the modern comforts.
"Here, take this."
She held something out to Zeon.
"What's that?"
"A temporary pass."
"Pass? So this gets me into Neo Seoul?"
"Yes! It's temporary, but it allows entry. Just for a month, though. After that, you'll need proper citizenship or find another way."
"That's plenty."
Zeon took the pass and examined it closely.
Made of some unknown metal, it was engraved with magic.
Eloi had pressured the mine's head honcho to issue it.
Something polite Mandy could never pull off, but for a lawless type like Eloi, it was easy.
Once Eloi recovered her strength, she'd thrown a fit, and the overwhelmed boss handed over the temporary pass.
Mandy smiled.
"Let's head to the bus."
"Right behind you."
Zeon stood and followed her.
They walked side by side to the open lot.
A massive armored bus waited there.
It was covered in patchwork armor to protect against monster attacks, looking like a total ragtag mess.
Far from stylish, but necessary for safety.
Railings and gun turrets were mounted on the roof, manned by five Awakeners.
They rode along to fend off monsters or scavengers.
The back was loaded with crates of Magic Stones, while the front held miners heading back to Neo Seoul.
Their faces brimmed with anticipation after so long away.
"Over here."
As Zeon and Mandy boarded, Kim Sang-sik, already seated, waved them over.
Like Mandy, color had returned to his face.
He gestured to two empty seats.
"Sit here."
"Thanks."
"Appreciate it."
They sat with thanks—Zeon by the window, Mandy on the aisle.
As they settled, the armored bus lurched into motion.
The massive gates of the Magic Stone mine town swung open, and finally, the bus rolled out into the desert.
The moment they passed through, the air changed.
Hot, thick air poured into the cabin.
With no AC, it heated up fast. Still, no one complained.
Just being on the bus was enough to satisfy everyone.
That was the era they lived in.
All the everyday luxuries of the past were now reserved for those with power and money.
To slum dwellers, air conditioning was a fantasy.
Zeon leaned his head against the window, gazing out.
Then Mandy spoke up.
"Got a place to stay?"
"Old house from before."
"If it's been empty long, someone else might've moved in."
Empty houses didn't exist in the slums.
The moment someone left, others claimed it.
Claims of ownership meant nothing without a land lord or deed.
Most buildings were slapped together haphazardly, expanded recklessly as the population grew, forming ant-nest mazes that ignored safety. Houses were always in short supply.
Zeon chuckled.
"Doesn't matter. I can take it back."
"Why not just enter Neo Seoul properly? Stay a month, figure something out."
"I'll think about it."
"Okay!"
Mandy glanced at his profile.
'Must be from living in the desert so long. Doesn't want the hustle.'
Somehow, she felt she understood him.
She gave up persuading and sank deep into her seat.
The ride was so rough, she felt every vibration from the floor. Still, she was grateful.
If nothing happened, they'd reach Neo Seoul by evening.
Mandy closed her eyes.
No point staying awake; might as well sleep.
She drifted off quickly.
She didn't know how long she'd slept.
Dudududu!
A subtle vibration in her butt and back woke her unconsciously.
'What is it?'
Too strong for just the bus.
Right then, Zeon spoke as if waiting.
"You're up. Was just about to wake you."
"Why? Something wrong?"
"Look over there."
Zeon pointed out the window.
Mandy's eyes widened as she peered where he indicated. But she saw only the distant horizon—no anomalies.
Zeon said,
"Five minutes, and you'll see."
"Huh?"
She knew Zeon wasn't one for nonsense, so she patiently watched.
Five minutes later, as he'd said, she understood the vibration's source.
"What the—?"
Over the horizon, an enormous dust cloud billowed.
It raced toward the armored bus at terrifying speed.
Zeon said,
"Monsters. Looks like a Flame Wolf pack."
"Shit!"
Mandy shot to her feet.
If that dust was indeed a Flame Wolf pack as Zeon said, the bus was in danger.
Flame Wolves were desert raiders.
They had the traits of both wolves and hyenas.
Once they targeted prey, they stuck until the end, clinging till death.
Most dangerous was their pack hunting.
They stripped flesh to the bone, leaving no trace.
Even high-rank Awakeners avoided them.
Mandy yelled,
"Flame Wolf pack! Get ready, now!"
Her shout jolted the Awakeners lounging on the roof.
"Flame Wolves?"
"Fuck!"
"It's real. Pack's charging!"
The Awakeners spotted them too.
The pack hurtled toward them like mad.
Too many to count—easily thousands.
Mandy had never seen a pack this size.
The frenzied charge filled even the Awakeners with dread.
"Crazy!"
"Full throttle!"
"Fuck!"
The driver floored it at the danger.
The bus tore across the desert. But the distance didn't grow—it shrank rapidly.
Zeon muttered,
"They'll catch us soon."
Once targeted, the pack wouldn't back off.
Zeon knew from experience how tenacious they were.
"Goddamn it! Heading home after so long, and monsters?!"
"Ugh!"
As the miners panicked, Mandy shouted,
"Want to live? Grab your picks! Bash any heads that poke in!"
But the miners couldn't snap out of it.
Mandy's eyes flashed.
"Tch! Useless bastards."
Eloi burst forth—her other self.
She glanced at Zeon.
"Don't bitch to Mandy. Crisis mode. Pissed? Step up yourself."
"Who said anything?"
"Tch! Annoying prick."
Eloi pouted, drawing the Mad Gumiho from her waist.
Kwaaaang!
A Flame Wolf's roar boomed.
The pack was closing in.
Flames flickered from their maws and tails—that's how they got the name.
Wolves at the bus's rear gaped wide, spewing fire streams.
"Block it!"
"Chit!"
Roof Awakeners unleashed skills to intercept. But outnumbered, they couldn't stop everything.
Flames slammed the bus.
Kwaaaang!
The explosion rocked it hard.
The thick armor held; a normal bus would've melted.
"You fuckers...!"
"Die!"
Awakeners unleashed skills.
Kyaeng!
Kheung!
Struck wolves yelped and fell. But others filled the gaps instantly.
Then Eloi climbed to the roof.
"You bastards! I'll kill you all."
She swung the Mad Gumiho without hesitation.
Kwaaaang!
Dozens died in one strike. But the horde was vast—no dent.
"Goddamn! Neo Seoul lets packs this big form? Fucking idiots!"
Eloi raged at the city while berserking. But she and the Awakeners couldn't hold them off alone.
Wolves clung to the bus.
They shoved heads through small windows, snapping at people. Some got bitten and dragged off before reacting.
"Kyaak!"
"Help!"
Screams from the windows cut short.
A wolf head poked near Zeon's seat.
"Tch!"
Bam!
Zeon clicked his tongue and swung a casual fist.
The wolf's head, barely clinging, exploded.
He looked out.
Far off, a colossal figure watched.
A monster the size of ten Flame Wolves combined. Clearly the pack leader.
It exuded a presence worlds apart.
The air around it scorched from its heat. The haze rising from its shoulders proved it.
Awoooo!
It unleashed its roar.
The cry shook the space, rattling Zeon's bus.
"Kuh!"
"Urk!"
Miners inside screamed and collapsed.
Eardrums burst, blood trickled.
Watching, Zeon furrowed his brow.
"Fucking mutt... My ears..."